Mental-health stigma needs to be erased

One in four people will experience a serious mental illness within their lifetime.

No one is immune.

Like any disease, it affects our parents, children, cousins, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and maybe even ourselves.

But unlike most diseases, an unfair stigma surrounds mental illness, robbing people of the dignity they deserve and discouraging them from seeking the treatment that can prevent a crisis and help them recover.

As part of ongoing efforts to dispel the inaccurate perception of people with mental illness, and in recognition of National Mental Illness Awareness Week this week, the Department of Human Services is opening the doors of three state psychiatric hospitals so the general public can learn more about treatment and therapies used to help people with mental illness recover.

Under the leadership of Gov. Chris Christie and DHS Commissioner Jennifer Velez, the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services has made major advancements in improving the lives of people with mental illnesses so they can live more independently.

The governor's budget for fiscal year 2013 reflects the administration's continued commitment to helping DMHAS' consumers, with $16 million allocated to help consumers live in community settings instead of psychiatric hospitals.

Increased screening, supportive community placements and the development of more active and evidenced-based treatment models have resulted in a drastic reduction of hospital inpatients.

But no amount of money or policies will change people's attitudes. We must work harder to change the public's perception of mental illness and to dispel the myths.

Lynn Kovich

Assistant Commissioner

Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services

New Jersey Department of Human Services

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Mental-health stigma needs to be erased

One in four people will experience a serious mental illness within their lifetime. No one is immune. Like any disease, it affects our parents, children, cousins, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and

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